Gas-filled polymeric microbubbles for ultrasound imaging
US5487390A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jan 30, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/2987
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Compositions, methods for preparing and methods of using air-filled polymeric microcapsules for ultrasound imaging are disclosed. Air-encapsulating microcapsules are formed by ionotropically gelling synthetic polyelectrolytes such as poly(carboxylatophenoxy)phosphazene, poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid) and methacrylic acid copolymers (Eudragit's) by contact with multivalent ions such as calcium ions. In the preferred embodiment, the average size of the microcapsules is less than seven .mu.m so that they are suitable for injection intravenously. The polymeric microcapsules are stable to imaging and display high echogenicity, both in vitro and in vivo. Due to their in vivo stability their potential application is extended beyond vascular imaging to liver and renal diseases, fallopian tube diseases, detecting and characterizing tumor masses and tissues, and measuring peripheral blood velocity. The microcapsules can optionally be linked with ligands that minimize tissue adhesion or that target the microcapsules to specific regions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.